I read the NYT this morning, as I often do, and paused in reading the article Scant Oversight of Drug Maker in Fatal Meningitis Outbreak. I appreciate the many benefits we have gained from conventional medicine, even many of the benefits from pharmaceuticals, but I can’t help feeling sad when I read an article about unnecessary deaths, such as this due to the overuse and under-regulation of drugs. There is a belief in this country that because it exists it must be safe. That is so untrue. Even OTC (over the counter) drugs such as ibuprofen and Benadryl have many possible negative effects and yet we pop them at the first sign of a sneeze or headache.

We’ve all laughed at the endless litany of possible side effects pharmaceutical commercials tout. And this video does a riotously funny job of exploiting that.

My husband and I joke about taking the drug if it might “cause death”. Supposedly, the gain is worth the risk, but I have to ask, “really?” Really???? When there are SO many other choices that can alleviate pain and suffering, cure disease and do it without harm?

Homeopathy is a marvelous example of the Hippocratic Oath “first do no harm” that doctors — and homeopaths, by the way — swear to. The Oath goes on to say: I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel…”

Homeopathy can be safely used in conjunction with allopathic (conventional) medicine; it can be used alongside pharmaceuticals, if necessary. I believe it is time for us as consumers to demand freedom in choosing our healthcare and I support this organization in lobbying for that right: http://www.nationalhealthfreedom.org/.